MUS 5 - American Cultures in Music
Instructor: Mary Campbell
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Course Description
Music in twentieth century United States through the study of contributions of three selected groups from the following: African-Americans, Latin-Americans, Asian-Americans, European-Americans, and Native Americans. Emphasis on understanding diverse styles, and on integrating these styles into American music. Concert, religious, and folk-pop music will be included.
To take this class, you must have daily access to a computer with an Internet connection, an email account, and experience using a web browser. You will also need to update your email address in CLASS-Web when you register.
Check the college catalog for CSU/UC transferability and to see if this course meets AA/AS degree requirements.
This class begins Aug 20 and ends Dec 23.
On-Campus Meetings
There are no required on-campus meetings for this class. You can attend an OPTIONAL, on-campus orientation to Online Learning on either Aug. 13 from 7-8:30 p.m. in Room 2420, Aug. 14 from 1-2:30 p.m. in Room 2420, and Aug. 21 from 7-8:30 p.m. in Room 2420. Learn more about these orientations, which are NOT course-specific.
How This Class Operates
The course is divided into an Introductory Module and 17 regular modules, each dealing with a chapter in the textbook. Due dates will occur weekly, and in most cases, you will have the assignments available to you for two weeks before they are due.
During summer session, when you have only six weeks to complete the class, due dates will occur every few days, and you will need to begin working as soon as the course opens. Most assignments are not accepted late.
While you are in this class, all communications between students and instructor will be through the Messages system in Blackboard.
Class Activities
Work in the class will include reading assignments from the textbook, quizzes on the reading material, 10 Listening Assignments (these are detailed descriptions of music that you are assigned to listen to), attendance at 2 live concerts, several discussion assignments, and a mid-term project. Most modules include a lecture, with musical examples to illustrate the concepts. There will be a final exam that is cumulative.
Class Project(s)
The mid-term project includes an interview with a person of a different culture and ethnicity than your own, a discussion, and a written report.
How Students Are Graded
You will be graded on a point system. 90% of points and above is an A, 80% and above is a B, 70% and above is a C, and 60% and above is a D.
Succeeding in an Online Course
Students who succeed in online courses tend to be independent, self-motivated learners with good computer skills. If you are a procrastinator who relies heavily on the instructor for motivation, can't use a computer too well, have taken less than 21 units of college credit in your lifetime, and/or have a grade-point-average under 2.0, you should probably consider enrolling in a face-to-face course instead.
Also, don't enroll in this class if you believe the myth that learning online requires less effort than learning face-to-face. This course covers the same content and has similar activities as the face-to-face version of the course; only the method of delivery changes.
LPC offers a tutorial called "Succeeding in an online course" that will not only tell you if you are a good fit for online learning, but it also offers many strategies -- among other pertinent information -- that will help you succeed online. Please complete the tutorial.
Blackboard
This course will use the Blackboard course management system as its virtual classroom. To learn how to log in to Blackboard, go to the Blackboard Login Procedures page. Once you enroll, you will not be able to log in until the first day of class.